Can you completely dismantle a dell xps 430?

the motherboard and chassis design is BTX ,you gonna gonna have a hard time getting that to fit ina atx tower

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/8/2010, 03:30:59
Machine name: LEE-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.090803-2339)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell XPS430
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A00
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 6078MB RAM
Page File: 2812MB used, 9544MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

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Display Devices
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Card name: ATI Radeon HD 3650
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9598)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9598&SUBSYS_22421028&REV_00
Display Memory: 3032 MB
Dedicated Memory: 249 MB
Shared Memory: 2782 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: atidxx32,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atiumdva,atiumd64.dll,atiumd6a.dat,atitmm64.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0010.0119 (English)
DDI Version: 10.1
BGRA Supported: No
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/3/2008 02:25:16, 1563648 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D6D8-11CF-D671-4802A1C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x9598
SubSys ID: 0x22421028
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

I'm considering upgrades to my motherboard, cpu, and videocard. I was told to grab an ATI 5850 or 5870. This is the reason why I wanted to upgrade the tower because i'm not sure that either videocard could fit. Additionally, is the gtx 200 series good for gaming over the ati 5850 or 5870? I don't understand the complaints. Is it just brand, personal experience, or actual issues with driver updates and stuff like that?

Are you saying that I would have to get a new motherboard? If it requires something new, I don't mind switching out.

most probobly a new mother board and o.s. atleast maybe a new hdd but the rest should be transferable to a new case

So I need to switch out a motherboard and get windows 7? What's an HDD?

hard drive

That's like everything.

no one said it would be easy

Yeah. I bought it from best buy. Maybe they can tell me which parts that I would need to replace to make it possible as well. I didn't realize that it could be most of them.

you could ask round here since you basically building a new pc

Well lets see, you could probably keep your hard drive but you're gonna need.

Case
Motherboard
Operating System
*Maybe a power supply*

Like windows 7? what's wrong with vista 64-bit?

Nothing, but the windows that came with your Dell is OEM and it's illegal to use it in a "new" computer (read new motherboard).

Oh well. I did want to use windows 7 anyways. I hate having to worry about 32 or 64-bit applications. It's a hassle.

Why would you worry about x86 or x64? Basically any x86 app works on an x64 OS. Doesn't matter if it's Vista or 7.

Some games have conflicts with 64-bit operating systems. I have to transfer it to a public folder or something like that just for patching services to work correctly.

64 bit is the future windows 8 will only be 64 bit so its change now or change later

I have to find a new case, but I think that I want to get this motherboard/processor. Do I need 4 processors though? I was thinking just 1 or 2 processors.

Motherboard/processor : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel%26%23174%3B+-+Core%26...

I'm already either going to choose an ati 5850 or 5870.

You can probably continue to use the processor that's in your computer? Do you have anything against ordering online at a site like newegg? It will be a little cheaper that way.

My processor is okay? What's a good motherboard then? I was just going to buy from Best Buy only because they actually assemble the parts for free if you buy from them. Otherwise, I'll have to somehow figure it out on my own or pay someone to do it for me. Also, I'm not too sure which case is good to get as well. I can't tell the difference between them and which is large enough to accept all parts. Do you recommend Windows 7?

I just wanted to add that I wouldn't mind buying from newegg.com. I think that my cousin can help me with it. Are you familiar with motherboards and cases? Also, would I need any extra fans or parts? I might need a better power supply if I get the ATI 5870. It seems that my power supply is like 370 or something.

You probably should get a new power supply, if you decide to get a new processor you may as well build a whole new computer.

Looking back on your original post though, it just seems to me that you really don't need to do all this, specially not now... in anticipation of "being able to upgrade". Just wait until you need a new video card or whatever and make a move then.

I do need a new videocard, but it won't fit into a mini-tower. I was told that my motherboard and OS aren't operable in a new case, therefore I have to buy them both just to make this possible.

whats your budget?

aand how much ram have you got in the xps?

I can spend around 700. I have 6gb.

I found out that my tower is actually slightly larger than a mid-sized tower. Also, it definitely has enough room for a 11.5 inch card. I could tweak it to fit a wider card as well.

so now just a new card and a new power supply

I got http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... and ati 5770. My cousin helped me find these 2. I was told that they're good enough for maximizing WoW on 1920x1080 and also for other current games.

what graphics card, your link is broken

ati 5770

HIS H577FM1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail